System of lubrication



NOV. 9 1926 1,05,998

J. D. STROBELL I SYSTEM OF LUBRICATION Filed June 11. 1 925 Race! var I I & J'

A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 9, 1 926..

PATENT FFICE.

JOHN D. STROBELL, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAFETY CAR HEATING 8a LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SYSTEM OF LUBRICATION.

Application filed June 11, 1925. sem No. 36,430.

This invention relates to a system of lubrication for cooling or refrigerating apparatus. One of the objects thereof is to provide a practical and efficient cooling or refrigerating apparatus which is dependable and reliable in action without requiring attention, and characterized by low power consumption. Another object is toprovide a simple, thoroughly practical, and highly efiicient driving arrangement for a refrigerating apparatus. Another object is to provide such a driving arrangement wherein lubrication of the moving parts is effectively accomplished without adding to the complexity and cost of the apparatus. Other objects are to provide an apparatus of the above nature of compact construction, capable of rapid manufacture and ease of assembly, and wherein the various parts are conveniently accessible. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter desccribed and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, the single figure is a vertical central section through a part of the driving apparatus, certain 'other parts bein shown in elevation and other elements of the system being shown diagrammatically.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown a casing -10 containing a rime mover which preferably takes the orm of an electric motor. Preferably the motor is mounted with its axis extendingin a general vertical direction. The motor drives a compressor which is preferably positioned therebeneath in a lower extension 11 of the casing 10, this portion ofthe casing containing the compressor being shown in elevation. The compressor is supplied with and compresses a suitable'refrigerating fluid, for example sulphur-dioxide or ethyl-chloride, and may be of any suitable form. Preferably the compressor is of the rotary type. I

The compressed refrigerant'is discharged from the outlet side of the compressor, indicatedat 12, and is led through a pipe 13 to a condenser'l. 'The condenser 14 maybe of any desired type or construction, and therein the compressed gas is cooled and condensed. The condensed refrigerant is led from the condenser 14 into a receiver or reservoir 15. From the receiver 15 the refrigerant is led through an expansion device we a 16 and from thence to a suitable heat exchange device 17. The expansion device 16 relieves the-pressure on the liquefied or condensed refrigerant, causing the latter to evaporate, and in the course of its evaporation in the heat exchange device 17 it obtains its heat of evaporation from the substance to be cooled. The evaporated and relatively warm refrigerant is then returned to the intake side of the compressor by way of a pipe 18, and thereupon repeats the cycle outlined.

Considering now more particularly the construction of the casing 10, this casing is preferably made substantially fluid-tight. Its reduced upper end 19 is closed by a cap 20 provided with a suitable packing 21. The lower portion of the main body of the casing 10 is preferably removable, comprising a cover 10 held in place by suitable bolts 22, the joint being made fluid-tight by packing 23. The cover 10 has a downwar dly extending hollow part 1O through which the shaft 24 of the motor extends, as will be more fully described. The lower casing 11 containing the compressor is secured against the lower end of the part 10 as by bolts 25, a fluid-tight connection being provided by means of interposed packing 26.

The compressor is preferably of the rotary type, the rotating vanes thereof being preferably mounted directly upon the lower end of the shaft 24. Thecompressor casing 11 is preferably provided with radially extending vanes 11" for the purpose of facilitating radiation of heat therefrom.

The electric'motor preferably takes the form of an alternatingcurrent motor of the induction type, and hence comprises a rotor 27 rigidly secured upon the shaft24= and provided with any "suitable form of winding, for example, a squirrel cage winding. The motor is provided with a stator which is suitably mounted upon the inner walls of the casing 10 and includes, for example, the

magnetic circuit forming part 28 and energizing windings generally indicated at 29.

Although certain advantages are attendant upon the use of this type of motor, namely,

an induction motor, it is to be understood that other types of motors may be employed thereof by means of a suitable nut 32 threaded upon the shaft. In the hollow part of the lower cover plate 10 is fixed the outer race 33 of a second ball bearing. This race is held against a shoulder 10 by means of the depending flange 34 of a ring 35, the ring being held in place by means of screws 36. This lower ball bearing serves as a combined thrust and radial bearing for the lower end of the shaft 24. The inner race 37 thereof is fixed upon the shaft and held in place thereon by a nut 38. The shaft 24 below this lower bearing, projects through an opening 1O in the bottom of the part 10 and, as has been mentioned above, carries the rotor of the compressor. The interior of the motor casing 10 and the interior of the compressor casing 11 are thus in communication through the opening 10 about the shaft 24.

Considering now more particularly certain features of my invention, a supply of lubricant is provided which preferably-lubricates all the moving parts of the apparatus and which repeatedly passes through a com plete cycle, being used over and over again as will be fully described. The nature of the lubricant depends upon the nature of the refrigerant employed. If the refrigerant is ethyl-chloride, glycerine is preferably employed as a lubricant, and if the refrigerant is sulphur-dioxide, a suitable oil is employed as the lubricant.

The lubricant is admitted to the casing 10 through thecap 20 above' the upper ball bearing, this cap being provided with a centrally positioned small orifice 39 by means of which the flow of the lubricant is properly controlled. Considering briefly the cycle through which the lubricant passes, it may be pointed out that the lubricant entering the casing through the orifice 39, lubricates first the upper ball bearing and thence flows downwardly throu h the casing 10 to lubricate the lower ball caring, and from thence it flows through the opening 1O into the compressor, mixing therein with the refrigerant. The lubricant is discharged from the compressor, with the refrigerant, through the discharge pipe 13, passing thence through the condenser 1.4 and into the receiver 15. In the receiver a separation of the lubricant from the liquelied refrigerant takes place by reason of the difference intheir densities or specific gravities. A pipe 40 leads from the region.

the orifice 39 in the upper'cap to returnlubricant to the moving parts of the apparatus. When the apparatus is in operation the pressure inside the motor casing is lower than the discharge pressure of the compressor and hence lower than the pressure in the receiver 15, and hence this pressure difference maintains the desired flow of lu-v bricant from the receiver 15 through the pipe to the orifice 39. A small amount of refrigerant vapor may find its way to the interior of the motor casing 10, for example, by leakage from the compressor, but, both motor and compressor being encased, escape of refrigerant and consequent loss thereof are avoided.

Considering now more particularly the passage of the lubricant through the apparatus, as has been described above, the lubricant first flows downwardly through the upper ball bearing. Below this ball bearing is provided a depending sleeve-like baflle 41 S which is secured to the casing 10 about the lower part of the reduced portion 19 by means of a ring 42 held in place by screws 43. On the upper end of the rotor 27 is a sleeve-like but tapered baflle 44 which overlaps the lower end of the baffle 41. The lubricant passing downwardly from within the batlle 41 is thrown outwardly by the centrifugal force of the rotating rotor against the inner surface of the rotating batlle 44. This baffle 44 is of a diameter which increases as its lower portion is approached so that a downward flow of the lubricant, both by gravity and centrifugal force, along the inner walls thereof is insured.

Through the rotor 27 extend a plurality of pipes or suitable conduits 45 along which the lubricant is conducted downwardly through the rotating element of the motor. The passage of lubricant through the pipes 45 is effectively assured, inasmuch as the centrifugal action of the baflle 44 is effective to give the lubricant a suitable head to insure a reliable movement thereof through the apparatus. Thus, irrespective of the action of gravity or of differences in pressures in the various parts into which lubricant finds its way, the circulation of lubricant is positively insured and maintained. Moreover, the conduits 45 effectively keep the lubricant out of contact with the windings on the rotating part of the motor. on the bottom of the rotor is secured a suitable bafile 46, on the inner walls of which is received the lubricant from the pipes 45. This rotating bafile 46 increases in diameter toward its bottom, insuring downward flow of the lubricant, and from the lower end of the baffle 46 the lubricant is thrown against the inner walls of a stationary baffle 47 which is secured against the inner side of the lower cover plate 10 as by screws 48. The lubricant flows down the walls of the stationary baffie 47 and thence inwardly along the sloping surface of the cover plate 10 to the periphery of the ring 35. In-this ring 35 are formed a plurality of grooves 49 through which the lubricant finds access to the lower ball bearing. From this ball bearing the lubricant continues its downward flow through the opening 10 and into the compressor to lubricate the compressor and to mix therein with the refrigerant. With the latter, it passes out through the pipe 13, whence the above described actions are repeated.

It will thus be noted that the lubricant is efiectively brought to parts intended tobe lubricated and is also dependably prevented from contacting With such parts of the apparatus as the windings and insulation therefor as form parts of the driving motor. Thus, all moving parts of the apparatus are constantly and dependably lubricated, and in a manner thoroughly dependable. The difiicult problem of dependably lubricating the moving parts of both the motor and the compressor is solved in a simple but effective manner, and troublesome sealing means between the compressor and the motor casing may be done away with. And, it will be seen that high friction losses due to packing glands and the like and resulting in high power consumption may be eliminated and a high degree of efficiency achieved. The entire apparatus is simple and compact in construction and capable of rapid manufacture and assembly at low cost.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a motor, a compressor driven thereby, a substantiall fluid-tight casing about said motor and saic compressor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant at one end of said casing, means adapted to carry said lubricant through said motor to lubricate said motor and thence into said compressor to lubricate said compressor.

2. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a motor, a compressor driven thereby, a substantially fluid-tight casing about said motor and said compressor, a pair of bearings within said casing supporting the shaft of said motor, one of said bearings being positioned on either side of said motor, means for introducing lubricant at one end of said casing to lubricate one of said bearings,

means for carrying said lubricant from said last bearing through said motor to lubricate said other bearing, and means for carrying said lubricant from said second bearing to said compressor to lubricate said compressor.

3. 'In asystem of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a motor, a compressor driven thereby, a substantially fluid-tight casing about said motor and said compressor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing, and means for carrying said lubricant through said casing to lubricate both said motor and said compressor.

4. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a motor, a compressor driven thereby, a substantially fluid-tight casing about said motor and said compressor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant at one'end of said casing, and means adapted to carry said lubricant through said casing by centrifugal action to lubricate said motor and said compressor.

5. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or thelike, in combination, a substantially fluid-tight casing, a motor therein, a compressor therein arranged substantially coaxially with said motor and driven there from, means for introducing a supply of lubricant at one end of said casing, and means adapted by centrifugal action to'carry said lubricant through said casing in a direction substantially axially of said motor to lubricate both said motor and said compressor.

6. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a substantially fluid-tight casing, a motor therein, a compressor therein arranged substantially coaxially with said motor and driven there from, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing adjacent one end of said motor, and means adapted by centrifu-- gal action to carry said lubricant in an axial direction through said motor to lubricate ill) said motor and thence to said compressor to lubricate said compressor.

In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, an electric motor, bearings for the shaft of said motor, one upon either side of the rotating element of said motor, means for introducinglubricant to one of said bearings, and means adapted to carry said lubricant from said last bearing along a path within the casing of said motor to the other of said bearings ,to lubricate the latter.

8. In asystem of lubrication for cooling apparats or the like, in combination, an electric motor, bearings for the shaft of said motor, one upon either side of the rotating element of said motor, means for introducing lubricant to one of said bearings, and means adapted to carry said-lubricant from said last bearing through said rotating element .of the motor to lubricate said other bearing ment of the motor to lubricate the other of said bearings.

10. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, an electric motor, bearings for the shaft of said motor, one upon either side of the rotating element of said motor, means for introducing lubricant to one of said bearings, and means upon said rotating element of the motor adapted to receive said lubricant from said last bearing and guide said lubricant to the. opposite side of said rotating element of the motor to lubricate the other of said bearings.

11.-In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, an electric motor, bearings for the shaft of said motor, one upon either side of the rotating element of said motor, means for introducing lubricant to one of said bearings, and means ihcluding rotating baflie plates and a passage through the rotating element of the motor adapted to receive said lubricant from said last bearing and carry said lubricant to the opposite side of said rotating element of the motor to lubricate the other of said bearings.

12. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, an electric motor, bearings for the shaft of said motor, one upon either side of the rotating element of said motor, means for introducing lubricant to one of said bearings, and a plurality of baflles adapted to receive said lubricant from said last bearing and carry said lubricant to the opposite side of said rotating element of the motor tolubricate the other of said bearings.

13. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a casing, an electric motor therein, means for introducing a supply of lubricant adjacent one end of said casing, and means including a rotating baflie plate adapted by centrifugal action to carry said lubricant axially through said casing to lubricate said motor.

14. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, an electric motor, bearings for the shaft of said motor, one upon either side of the rotating element of said motor, means for introducing lubricant to one of said bearings, and

including a passage through said rotating element of the motor adapted to receive said lubricant from said last bearing and carry said lubricant to the opposite side of .said

rotating element of the motor to lubricate I the other of said bearings.

16. I11 a system of lubrica ion for cooling apparatus or the like, in com ination, a substantially fluid-tight casing, an electric motor therein, a compressor therein driven by said motor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing adjacent one end thereof, and means including rotating battle plates adapted to receive said lubricant .and carry said lubricant through said casing to lubricate said motor and said compressor.

l7. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a substantially fluid-tight casing, an electric motor therein, a compressor therein driven by said motor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing adjacent one end thereof, means adapted to distribute said lubricant Within said casing to lubricate said motor, and means adapted to carry said lubricant through the rotating element of said motor and to said compressor to lubricate said compressor.

18. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a substantially fluid-tight casing, an electric motor therein, a compressor therein driven by said motor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing adjacent one end of said motor to lubricate said end of said motor, means adapted to carry said lubricant from saidend of said motor through the rotating element thereof to the opposite end thereof to lubricate said last end of said motor, and means adapted to receive said lubricant from said last end of said motor and carry said lubricant therefrom to said compressor to lubricate said compressor.

19. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a substantially fluid-tight casing, an electric motor therein, a compressor therein driven by said motor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing adjacent one end of said motor to lubricate said end of said motor, means adapted to carry said lubricant from said end of said motor through the rotating element thereof to the opposite end tor, a compressor mounted upon the shaft of said motor and driven thereby, a pair of bearings for said shaft one on either side of said motor, means for lubricating said bearings and said compressor, and means free from packing glands adapted to prevent access of lubricant from said bearings to the windings and insulation of said motor.

21. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a motor, a compressor driven thereby, a substantially fluid-tight casing about said motor and said compressor, means for introducing a supply of lubricant at one end of said cas ing, means adapted to carry said lubricant through said motor to lubricate said motor and thence into said compressor to lubricate said compressor, a supply of refrigerant for said compressor, means for separating said lubricant from the compressed refrigerant discharged from said compressor, and means for returning said separated lubricant to said first end of said casing.

22. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a motor,.a compressor driven thereby, a substantially fluid-tight casing about said motor and said compressor, a pair of bearings within said casing supporting the shaft of said motor, one of said bearings being positioned on either side of said motor, means for introducing lubricant at one end of said casing to lubricate one of said bearings, means for carrying said lubricant from said last bearing through said motor to lubricate said other bearing, means for carrying said lubricant from said second bearing to said compressor to lubricate said compressor, a supply of refrigerant for said compressor, means for separating said lubricant from the compressed refrigerant discharged from said compressor, and means for returning said separated lubricant to said first end of said casing.

23. In a system of lubrication for cooling apparatus or the like, in combination, a sub stantially fluid-tight casing, a motor therein, a compressor therein arranged substantially coaxially with said motor and driven therefrom, means for introducing a supply of lubricant to said casing adjacent one end of said motor, means adapted by centrifugal action to carry said lubricant in an axial direction through said motor to lubricate said motor and thence to said compressor to lubricate said compressor, a supply of refrigerant for said compressor, means for separating said lubricant from the compressed refrigerant discharged from said compressor, and means for returning said separated lubricant to said first end of said casing.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this fourth day of June, 1925.

JOHN D, S'TROBF IL. 

